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Saturday afternoon, as veterans reported to the team’s facility for the beginning of training camp, the Indianapolis Colts announced that rookie first-round pick Malik Hooker has been activated from the Active/Physically Unable to Perform list. They also officially announced that offensive lineman Brian Schwenke and defensive lineman Kendall Langford have been added to PUP.
The news about Hooker is tremendous, especially the timing. After missing all of the physical portions of the offseason recovering from shoulder and sports hernia surgeries, Hooker was medically cleared for camp. Right after, he tweaked a hamstring during his conditioning test.
One of Hooker’s only issues coming into the draft was concerns about his durability — particularly his hamstrings. Tweaking it again made people feel as if this was a huge red flag. However, it is not uncommon for players to pull something after long periods of rest, especially hamstrings.
With Hooker already back on the active roster as training camp starts, it gives him plenty of time to get worked into the defense. Without Hooker, the Colts were going to have to rely on a group effort between Darius Butler, Matthias Farley and T.J. Green. Starting strong safety Clayton Geathers is on PUP and will remain so at least through the first six weeks of the regular season.
General manager Chris Ballard already announced earlier in the week that Langford and Schwenke would begin camp on PUP. They are expected to be activated before the regular season arrives, however. The Colts have ample depth on each line with the two vets out.